Why did Arnold deny Tookie clemency?

[yurbud]

Poll question: Why did Arnold deny Tookie clemency?

You can see the text of his statement here, but I mean what is he really thinking?

http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/press_release_2005/Williams_Clemency_Statement.pdf

[jaredt112]

1. Well..

I think he just realizes that Tookie still killed 4 people, no matter how "reformed" he is.

[MrModerate]

2. Arnie started out with some "librul" baggage . . .

And has been tossing it overboard ever since he was elected. He's learning that in today's 'Lican party "compassionate conservatism" -- if actually practiced -- is the death of your chances for advancement.

[ET Awful]

3. I don't pretend to know what the Gropenator Hitler admirer thinks, but

I have a feeling he ain't gettin' any from his liberal wife for a while.

[yurbud]

16. Maria, come on! I just sent a man to his def. Dozen dat make you horny?

[Connie_Corleone]

4. It's not an easy decision to make.

I think Arnold felt Tookie's sentence should be carried out because of the crimes he committed and also because Tookie never took responsibility for the crimes and helped the authorities by giving up the names of fellow gang members.

Just because Arnold is some movie actor republican governor doesn't mean he didn't give this a lot of thought.

[RC]

12. Stop with the kill him because he didn't take responsibility crap already.

That is just an excuse. People do change.
What's it been..., 25 years? And he has been working to keep others out of the gangs.
They aren't going to turn him loose, ever, just maybe not go through with a state sanctioned murder.
Do you support the war in Iraq? There is a lot of senseless killing there also.

[Connie_Corleone]

14. What the hell does Iraq have to do with this topic??

So, a murderer who doesn't accept responsiblity for his crimes is crap? Then why lock them up at all? Let's not arrest any of them and hold them accountable for their crimes.

GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN'! G-UNIT!!

[RC]

15. A lot. People are dying because of us, US over there also.

And what does not locking any one up have to do with state sanctioned killing them? You make it sound as if this country would decent into total anarchy unless we kill the killers. What bull shit. You don't think life locked up is punishment?

[Connie_Corleone]

18. What's bullshit is that you came away with that reasoning from

my post.

[yurbud]

17. I would support the architects of the war being tried and joining Tookie

[Fescue4u]

28. lol. then clearly he didnt change

if he didnt take responsibility, then he didnt change.

And as you quite clearly point out, he had 25 years to do it.

And frankly no "excuses" were necessary to execute him. He was a convicted killer sentenced to death.

He needs an excuse to escape his fate, not meet it.

[Booster]

13. I agree. I'm certainly not an Arnold fan, but I did think most of the

local tv channels, at least in L.A., were a little hard on Arnold with their lead off of "Arnold refuses to spare Tookie's life". Give me a break.

[Spinzonner]

5. he doesn't want Tookie to be left alive

and be able to talk about their body building days and connections.

[IndianaGreen]

6. Nazis like to kill the lower life forms! n/t

:shrug:

[Gman]

7. Arnold wouldn't make it out of the GOP primary

if he were to pardon Tookie.

[yurbud]

21. yep--but he aint gonna get many dem, moderate, or far right voters either

that leaves a pretty narrow slice for the general election, and an even narrower one for primary.

If he pulls himself out of the crapper, we have to remind the religious right of his drug use, orgies, posing naked and sexual harassment. Arnold won't do the born again thing to stay in office.

[Raine]

8. Catering to the RW

especially after the flack he has taken about appointing a Democratic aide.

[Silverhair]

9. #1 & #3 are not mutually exclusive.

He can believe in it, and in Tookie's guilt, and still be political at the same time.

[yurbud]

23. true

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

24. I'm more inclined to 3+4 myself

"I'll do something to get more votes, and in case I get thrown out, I've built some wingnut credibility."

[slackmaster]

29. I had the same thought

It's almost certainly to Arnold's political advantage, that he allowed the execution to take place.

[tritsofme]

10. Why hold Arnold to a higher standard than the court system?

That has consistantly found no reason to throw out the "tookie" death sentence?

I don't see posts denouncing the courts or the juries as a bunch of "Nazis," but I guess that's ok because of Arnold's country of origin.

[TwentyFive]

11. This case is getting way too much publicity

Fry him.

Reasons for rehabilitation are impossible to prove. Did he change his ways to avoid getting clipped? The law must look at his actions and determins if he should be executed. Everything else is just clutter.

[AntiCoup2K4]

19. Because Ah-nold wants to drive out to the Prison and at 12:01 say.....

"Hasta La Vista Tookie!"

[LandOLincoln]

20. Because Arnold is a girlie man who's afraid

to show emotion, that's why.

There's absolutely nothing to be gained by Tookie's execution. Whether or not he's an unrepetent killer is immaterial. He ain't goin' nowhere, nohow, and it's clear that he's a lot more valuable alive than dead. He writes books. He's an inspiration to young people. He's turned his life around, and made something of it.

Killing him now is stupid. You've all seen the stats--we're in the same club with China, Iran, and Vietnam.

Whooopy fucking do, y'all.

Hope you're proud of yourselves, you effing "Christians."

[yurbud]

22. comparing US to other countries doesn't sway right--it repulses them

No other country is better than us in anyway, so if we are one of the few with capital punishment, we should try to be number one! (or some shit like that).

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. He still has a base???? n/t

[darkism]

26. Because he's a macho meathead and a blatant racist.

Did anyone actually expect that loser to give Tookie clemency?

[Fescue4u]

27. Its pretty much a fact that Tookie didnt repent

Since admission of guilt is part of repenting, there should really be no controversy as to whether Tookie repented. Clearly he did not.

Now is that the primary reason why Arnold didnt grant clemency? I think so because it complies with occams razor.